How to prepare kids to be home alone safely

TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- Kids are enjoying the start of summer break, and police want parents to know what to do to prepare their kids during unsupervised time.

School's out for the summer, and kids are psyched.

More kids will be home alone, and West Richland Police said it's important to put together preparedness plans.

“Just what to do if there was a serious injury or something,” West Richland Police Sgt. Duane Olsen said, “and when kids are old enough to start understanding those things, it's good to be prepared to have a plan.”

Police said teach them to look before opening the door for someone.

“Our advice would be, if they look and don't recognize them, don't open the door,” Olsen said. “People watch it, and they know when adults are not home, and they can use that to their advantage.”

If your kids are going to be home alone, make sure you leave a list of important phone numbers--like family members, emergency contacts, or even the locksmith.

Police said you should always leave a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and tell them to lock the house.